He points out that priests and religious authorities in Islam often grow beards, holding hands is quite common among women or girls and that a liking for branded clothes is also very widespread.

While activists like him have no trouble speaking out, he says that many others are "filled with so much of fear in them".

"Transgenders have been murdered in this country," he explains. "Soft or feminine guys have been bullied and harassed in such ugly ways. There's always this worry. That if I 'come out', what would happen to me? Would people beat me up? Would I be thrown into the pits of depression?"

Mr Kumar said he received a lot of feedback but that because the alleged gay characteristics are so general, most people found it silly rather than dangerous.

"Many of the messages I got were saying things like 'if men with facial hair are gay then my dad, uncle and grandfather are all gay'."

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The Beauty and the Beast film released last year caused controversy over a gay character

The influence of religious hardliners has grown in Malaysia in recent years, often pitting religious fundamentalists against those campaigning for greater rights for the LGBT community.

Last year, the health ministry launched a contest for young on how to "prevent" homosexuality, sparking protests from activists that it could increase hatred and violence against LGBT people. The ministry later made changes to the competition.